Brendon Burns

Right to safe water should be universal

New Zealanders deserve to know why their Government did not support a UN resolution which affirms the rights of an estimated billion people whose supplies currently are not safe to drink, says Labour water spokesperson Brendon Burns.

Minister should heed Radio New Zealand petition

Labour broadcasting spokesperson Brendon Burns has tabled a petition in Parliament this week recording the support of more than 2500 people for Radio New Zealand as the Government directs it to “reconfigure” services.

Hurunui moratorium should extend to other Canterbury waterways

Imposing a moratorium on the Hurunui River until the next election is an inevitable response to growing public concerns about decreasing water quality in Canterbury, says Labour’s water spokesman Brendon Burns.

Fear that Synlait’s expansion will be at expense of environment

Labour Water spokesperson Brendon Burns says there is now a real worry that Canterbury corporate dairy farmer Synlait will significantly expand production before effective new environmental controls are put in place to protect endangered water quality in the region.

Police on receiving end of worrying trend

13 July 2010

Christchurch Central MP Brendon Burns has visited the scene of today’s double shooting of police officers and the killing of a police dog in the inner Christchurch suburb of Phillipstown.

Water and decision-making

Speech to the Environment, Conservation and Economy, ECO conference, Christchurch, Friday 2 July 2010

Brendon Burns, Labour’s spokesman on water

TVNZ changes about repackaging, not journalism

Television New Zealand’s unveiling today of changes to news and current affairs is more about repackaging news and less about journalism, says Labour broadcasting spokesperson Brendon Burns.

Key arrogant in belittling Canterbury protesters

Canterbury people won’t forget Prime Minister John Key’s arrogant put-down of them yesterday when they protested at being stripped of their right to have a democratic say in local water issues, says Labour Water spokesperson and Christchurch Central MP Brendon Burns.

Minister can’t give assurance on NZ on Air funding

Repeated signals that NZ on Air will face major funding cuts must worry independent producers, musicians and free-to-air television, says Labour’s broadcasting spokesperson Brendon Burns.

Ministers acknowledge water quality comes second

Two Government Ministers today acknowledged that any prospect of improving New Zealand’s water quality will come second to intensive agriculture, say Labour MPs Brendon Burns and Phil Twyford.

Key spooked on digital switchover and pre-empts his Ministers

John Key’s comments indicating a later start to switching on digital delivery of television are a major set-back for the broadcasting and telco industries and for NZ communities, say Labour’s broadcasting and communication spokespeople, Brendon Burns and Clare Curran.

Key should explain cosy Creech-Carter relationship

The Prime Minister should explain why ECAN review head Wyatt Creech was being officially briefed about Canterbury water issues long before he was appointed to do so, says Labour’s Water spokesperson Brendon Burns.